College used to open doors—now even grads with master’s degrees are sending 60 job applications a month to no luck

https://fortune.com/2025/08/08/college-degrees-unemployed-american-dream-graduates-gen-z-masters-struggling-to-land-careers-ai-job-hunting/

by FUSeekMe69

8 comments

  2. At least it’s not like 2008-2010ish where college grads were applying to 60 jobs…..but at places like McDonalds and Walmart, and still not getting even those jobs. They were competing with grown ass adults with families who lost everything and needed work too.

    The ones who did get jobs at that time are STILL trying to catch up in wages and many times making close to or less than new hires coming out of college now.

  4. It’s bc the jobs listed don’t actually exist. The fake job postings are there for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with filling a position:

    1. Building a “resume bank”

    • Companies collect applications for positions they might need later.

    • This way, if a real opening comes up, they already have a pool of vetted candidates without re-posting the job.

    2. Market research

    • They want to see what salary expectations, skill sets, or experience levels are currently available in the market.

    • It helps them plan for future hiring or decide if outsourcing is cheaper.

    3. Compliance and appearance

    • Some organizations (especially federal contractors) must post jobs publicly—even if they already have an internal candidate lined up—to comply with labor laws or internal policies.
    • Others post to appear like they’re expanding, to impress investors or maintain a “growth” image.

    4. Keeping “active” on job boards

    • Companies that are consistently hiring may look more attractive to potential applicants and customers.

    • It also keeps their profiles high in search algorithms on sites like LinkedIn or Indeed.

    5. Internal HR metrics

    • Some HR departments are evaluated on applicant volume, diversity metrics, or talent pipeline strength, not just hires. Posting “ghost jobs” can inflate these numbers.

    6. Pure bad habit or bureaucracy

    • Large corporations often have slow-moving hiring systems, and outdated postings stay live long after the role was filled or canceled.

    Thank you ChatGPT for the leg up.

  5. I graduated in 08’ and couldn’t find a professional job to save my life. I ended up leaving off my degree and getting a job at Home Depot. I learned very quickly that employers, at least in mid-Florida, don’t want educated workers. They want slaves.

  6. Your misery is billionaire leverage. The Fed believes prosperity causes inflation, even though they’ve seen evidence otherwise (Japan and South Korea).

    Reid Hoffman, the largest Democratic donor, wants you to be unemployed so you pay for premium service on LinkedIn.

    Elon Musk wants you to be unemployed so that you’re desperate to work for him or go to Mars.

    Timothy Mellon, the second largest Republican donor, believes social safety nets, social security, unemployment benefits, and welfare create “Slavery Redux” for the remaining workers. He is oblivious to the ample evidence of other countries having far greater social safety nets. He also inherited his fortune.

    Misery is a feature, not a bug.

  7. An abundant commons is what allows the lower majority to create jobs. Debt education is not abundance, it’s debt. Focus on paying off inescapable debt, is different from focus on nuanced or undiscovered innovations. Pandering to vulture capitalist is different from trying to satiate consumer demand.

  8. Unpopular opinion – people with bachelor’s degrees go directly into graduate programs to postpone looking for a job, and then they end up with more student debt and no job.

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